But before the seven-part series starts airing, coaster fanatics can vote for their favorites online. The winner for each category will be announced at the end of each episode.

SeaWorld's Manta will face off with Busch Gardens' Montu in the "Hang 'em High" epsidoe that will air July 8. Also in this category are Alpengeist at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., and a coaster to be named later. Also airing on July 8 will be "G-Force Giants" with Busch Gardens' SheiKra; Medusa of Six Flags in Vallejo, Calif.; Afterburn of Carowinds, Fort Mill, S.C.; and Apollo's Chariot of Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

SeaWorld's Kraken is in July 22's "Wrong Way Up" episode, pitted against Wild Eagle at Dollywood of Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; Hydra the Revenge at Dorney Park of Allentown, Pa.,; and a fourth coaster to be announced. Online voting for these two categories will be May 7-18.

Absent from these lists so far are roller coasters from Disney World or Universal Orlando. Travel Channel has not returned calls about these omissions yet. To be fair, Disney's rides are not considered too extreme. We would nominate Expedition Everest from Disney's Animal Kingdom for an episode called "Most Themed Out the Wazoo" or Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain or Hollywood Studios' Rock 'n' Roller Coaster for "Most Glow in the Darky." Islands of Adventure's Incredible Hulk would be my pick for "Best Unexpected Moment" for its launch and IOA's Dragon Challenge could fit under "Now-gone Near-Misses" (although I still like climbing the castle wall from the front row of the Hungarian Horntail side).

A one-hour finale of "Insane Coaster Wars," set for Aug. 12, will reveal the 10 coasters with the most votes. Voting is set to begin May 7 at www.travelchannel.com.